*Please note that there is an explicitly steamy scene at the end of this chapter containing sexual actions.*
Seven years later
I drive in the silver urban Mercedes SUV up the winding road of the estate and smile as the familiar manor comes into view in all its glory. After living here with its inhabitant for nearly three years and then going off to study had made me long to come back to the place I now call home. I park the car in front of the garage and quickly dash into the entrance hall to see Greta bustling with Chef Louise. My chuckle at their fussing over a vase of my favourite flowers draws their attention and Greta lunges to pull me into a tearful embrace.
'Oh, Clairy dear. How we've missed you. At least you weren't here to witness that she-devil. Luckily the master gave her nothing after the scandalous behaviour,' her immediate gossiping makes me laugh and I pull away to greet chef and Luke.
'You've grown up, miss,' Luke greets, and I smile at him graciously. He had married Brigit after Laura moved to the US to be with their parents and Brigit just gave birth to their first little girl.
'Thank you, Luke. How's Bri and the baby?' I ask and hear a small baby coo from the kitchen. Brigit comes walking with a little bundle in her arms and I gush at the adorable thing.
'She's so beautiful,' I say and suddenly Brigit puts her in my arms. I hold her carefully and smile as small doe brown eyes stare up at me in wonder.
'Claire, meet our little Selene,' Luke says and my smile grows more at their name choice. A throat clears behind me and I turn to stare at the man who silently nurtured me for the past few years.
'You shouldn't get any ideas of having your own just yet, little one. You still have a strong career to build,' Dominic says and Greta huffs, taking the baby out of my arms whilst giving Dominic a chastising glare.
'You shouldn't try and turn her into a workaholic like yourself,' Greta scolds and I step between the two.
'It's quite alright, Greta. Dom just has my best interest at heart,' I defend him and they all leave to carry on with their tasks. I turn to face Dominic as he takes my hand in his and watch him as he plays with my fingers.
'I've missed you,' he says quietly and I blush at his words but smile up at him with an agreement.
'Ditto,' I say and we stare at each other for a while before he looks away, clearing his throat.
'Your room has been untouched since you left. I should leave for a meeting but we can catch up at dinner,' he says and I open my mouth to protest but decide against it, nodding my head.
'Dinner then,' I agree and he looks at me before turning to leave. I bite my lip as I watch his retreating figure and jump as Chef's chuckle.
'Perhaps I'll teach you how to make my famous chocolate liqueur mousse for tonight, no?' he wriggles his eyebrows at me and I blush, shrugging.
'I'd love to. Chocolate has been my favourite since forever,' I say and he chuckles, pinching my cheek.
'Come. Come. We have much to do for dinner,' he says, walking away and I follow him into the kitchen. Greta joins us after finishing her duties and they leave me to finish the rest as they retire for the night. I hear the front door open and close as I am packing the dishwasher and turn as Dominic walks into the large kitchen, looking beat.
'Evening,' he says and I smile at him as I dish alfredo into his plate. I pour us each a glass of wine and sit down to eat with him.
'How was work? Did the meeting go well?' I ask and he swallows a bite of food, groaning slightly.
'This is delicious. The stubborn bastard wouldn't settle and I almost lost it,' he says and I laugh before taking a sip.
'I'd like to see you lose it. You're always too uptight,' I tease and he looks at me while taking a long drink.
'Have you decided on my offer to work at my company?' he asks, watching me with a strange emotion and I blush.
'Well, there's no legal flaw in it. Depends on what my job description is,' I say, swirling my food and he nods. We fall into comfortable small talk whilst eating and I laugh as he describes how his second wife drove him crazy with extravagant shopping trips. I take our dishes to the sink and bring the chocolate mouse to the table.
'Chef taught me how to make this today, but I was a bit heavy on the liquor. So, if you hate it, please don't eat it for my sake,' I say as he takes a spoonful and he tries to keep a serious face as he tastes the dessert. I watch him nervously and he chuckles at me.
'Well…' I urge him to speak and he takes another bite, pretending to taste it and I smack his arm.
'It's pretty great, little one. It reminds me of the dessert my dad used to make,' he says and I gasp, horrified.
'You said they always made you drunk,' I gasp and he chuckles.
'Luckily for you, I've built up a high tolerance for just such a time,' he teases and I pout, taking a bite of mine, frowning as it tasted fine besides the slight hit of liquor. We look at each other and I start to giggle, nodding at him. He takes the rest of my pudding after I finish three-quarters of it and I laugh as he quickly takes it from me. I stand to take the dishes and grab the counter as dizziness hits me.
'I think I may be more than tipsy,' I state, giggling and he chuckles, picking me up like a child. I wrap my arms and legs around him as he carries me up the stairs. I breathe in his aftershave and sigh, laying my head on his shoulder.
'You smell so good. None of the guys at uni smelt good. Always sweaty and like smoke,' I mumble and feel his body tense.
'Please tell me you did not get involved with boys,' he says and I giggle, shaking my head in his neck, taking in more of his scent.
'Nope, they got lost whenever I didn't want to put out,' I pout at the memories of rejection and his body relaxes slightly. I push back the thought that I felt a stirring at my thigh and played it off as my own crush. He gently places me on my bed and helps me take off my shoes.
'Good, I wouldn't want another man touching you,' he says and I blush at his words, seeing his stern expression focused on my shoes. He takes them off and stops as his eyes meet mine. I comb his hair back a bit and my hand drops to his jaw. My thumb trails over the slight bags under his eyes and he leans into my palm slightly as he watches me.
'You haven't been sleeping well,' I state and he stays quiet as I study his features. I let out a yelp and jump into his arms as thunder and lightning crash behind me and we fall on to the ground. I stare down at him as I hold myself up above him and feel his hands on my hips.
'Sorry,' I whisper flustered and he leans up. I move back, thinking he wants to sit up and he stops me from getting off his lap.
'Dom?' I whisper and see his eyes look down at my lips for a split second. He swallows and I watch as he restrains himself. We get up and he helps me settle in bed, tucking me in.
'Sleep, little one,' he says, and I hold his hand as I close my eyes, smiling.
'Always so demanding and stiff,' I tut sleepily and hear his chuckle. I sigh, falling asleep as his fingers comb through my hair and still as I feel lips gently press against mine just as sleep takes over.
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*Please note that there is an explicitly steamy scene from this point*
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I pull away from her soft lips to see her fast asleep and quickly leave the room before I kiss her again. I decide on a cold shower to calm the blood rushing to my arousal and I groan as my hand wraps around the thick girth. Dark desire fogs up my logical brain and my release comes whilst imagining, taking that toned body of hers in different ways. Imagining her moans as I pleasure her and us reacting to our release simultaneously intensifies the ecstasy. I stand under the running water, my skin electrified and I eventually get out, falling asleep after getting into bed.